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POLITICO 44

If President Barack Obama’s main goal Wednesday was to stitch his party back together on health care reform, there were tentative signs Thursday that his speech to Congress was doing just that.

If he also hoped to sway a few Republicans, there were no converts in sight.

But for one day at least, the sprawling and fractious Democratic coalition — from Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California, co-chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, to conservative Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana — was lining up behind the president and sounding for the first time in months like a health care deal was a realistic possibility.

“He clearly had an impact on our side of the aisle,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said, adding that Obama “righted a ship that had been listing.”

The sharpest change came among liberal Democrats, who just the day before the speech were still issuing grim threats about voting no on any bill that didn’t include a public health insurance option. But that antagonistic tone all but disappeared in the aftermath of Obama’s address.

Obama didn’t offer any new groundbreaking proposals — or say much he hasn’t said before — but suddenly Democrats have mustered an enthusiasm for reform that had long seemed imperiled. Perhaps it was the “You lie!” shout of Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) that caused them to circle the wagons. Perhaps it was the sense that time was running out to deliver Obama’s signature legislative priority. But whatever it was, the most seismic change has occurred among liberal lawmakers.

Woolsey, a defiant California liberal, kicked off a closed-door session in the Capitol basement Thursday by telling other Democrats in the House that she felt a lot differently about health care reform after the president’s speech.

Woolsey said she was eager to work with her colleagues to craft a program of government-sponsored health care that could cover everyone, bring down the costs and give Americans more choices. According to people in the room, she told the group that she doesn’t even care what they call it.

“The progressives are prepared to work with our leadership to ensure that the final bill includes a robust public option that accomplishes all of the president’s goals,” Woolsey told POLITICO afterward.

But while Obama’s speech gave a nod to the public option, the president also said he would accept any approach that did the job of bringing down cost and expanding coverage. After the speech, progressives sloughed off that caveat and seized solely on his support for a public option.

This article is way off the mark. The reason Obamas popularity went up so much is people liked what they heard about the Strong Public Option, liked the way it wouls bring the costs down through competition. But less than 24 hours after giving the People at home lip service on this Obama has a meeting at the White House and says the Public Option is not necessary ? Excuse me, you gave the impression that you thought it was important, why are you caving into the Republicans and Insurance companies and NOT fighting for this ? Now we hear you would settle for a trigger which would only delay the cost containment even more, or a co-op which is useless and ineffective in bringing costs down ? Hello, I know independents who liked what they heard and thought you were going to really start pushing for that public option not just run back to the White House and have a meeting and say whew, thats over with, we don't need it ? I believe that Obama by his actions is actually going to split the party more. It looks like he is weak and unable to tell the truth, Will say what ever in necessary in Public and then Change it behind closed doors. I think any money the Democrats collected after Obamas speech should be returned as a lot of it was collected under false pretenses. People sent money because they THOUGHT Obama and the Democrats were finally coming out to fight for a Strong Public Option. Not roll over and cave in to the Republicans and Insurance companies. The speech he gave the other night that some people thought was so GREAT turned out to be NOTHING but LIP service. No Obama is NOT bring UNITY to the Party, if anything he is making some of his own party and independents dis-trust him even more !

President Obama dureing campaign did not know dureing campaign the true debt of our inheritence, that is inconveinent truth.

As so many stood by did nothing as previous admin lied US into a war. Abused and spent billions with KBR, Haliburton and Blackwater. As was those protesting wanting investigations as we was shouted down and blitzed by those of deather birther mentality. As previous RNC admin destroyed reputation of so many with lies and slander.

As it's not a matter of whats said it's matter of if whats said is the truth, as birthers deathers liveing in denial of propaganda lies matter of which a majority comes from the RNC .

Thus I give freely this quote again to birthers deathers those in love with lies propigaited by RNC, " Tell you the truth, you think it's hell "

here birthers deathers here's some more hell for your denial.

yesterday afternoon was estimates on Health Care Lobbyists spending over 350 million dollars fighting health care reform think duely noted is fact lot of that money was probally from insurance purchased by us US taxpayers for health care. Think needs to be investigations on where Health Care Industry diverting funds from to hire lobbyists as sure not on my health care plan.

The insurance companies spent over a quarter of a BILLION DOLLARS in the last six weeks fighting the Public Option and trying to weaken this Healthcare Reform any way they can. Gee , I wonder why Obama caved in so fast ? Turns out he is weak and can say one thing and do another. Typical Politican. The Democrats are AGAIN rolling over in favor of the insurance companies over the American People ! I too would like to know where all that money the Insurance spent came from ? Our rates will soon be going up I bet to pay for their spending !

Cutting 100 billion dollars from medicare to fund illegals and those unwilling to work for a living is not a death panel movement against seniors? You hate your grandparents that much? If so you are a true Democrat.

It's time for the Democrats to wake up and start fielding a vialble candidate for 2012. It is going to be a massacre in 2010 and complete loss in 2012 with this fool .Paging Jimmy Carter...Barack Obama was a lovely idea that just didn't work.

If you think Obama, Reid and Pelosi are loved by the people you must be smoking something . The American people havent changed their minds about this Health Care Reform.... they need to throw it out and start all over again. Lies and mistruths and half-truths are being told because the Bills do include provisions for illegals and they do indicate rationing of care. After Bush I didnt think it was possible to divide this nation any further but Obama has done it., The majority of middle America doesnt trust him and for good reason. You can judge a person by the people he or she associates with. Just look at the radicals that surround Obama - his 30 CZARS . How sickening is it that America stands by and lets him appoint Communists to his Administration - none of them vetted or questioned by Congress ?? . Our forefathers gave us a system of checks and balances but Mr Obama r is destroying all of them bit by bit.

Just a quick question....when are you going to put this Politico? You going to wait and wait and wait like you did with Van Jones?

In the Bowels of Baltimore’s ACORN

by Hannah Giles

The Baltimore adventure with ACORN started off as a silly idea, both absurd and incredible by all accounts. But it stuck, and quickly escalated into a full blown operation with scripts, method acting, undercover gear, scandalous outfits, fast minds, good hearts, plenty of humor and healthy homemade blueberry muffins.

When I pitched the “prostitute goes into ACORN seeking housing” idea to James O’Keefe at the beginning of the summer, I had absolutely no idea how he would respond. He came back with, “Would you be willing to portray the prostitute? And if so, when can you do this?”

Needless to say, the project had officially begun.

An idea conceived on an afternoon jog would soon birth material evidence.

Most people come up with ridiculous ideas, things that graze against societal norms. However, not all are capable of action because not all are comfortable with action. Many lack the desire for truth and justice, most don’t even know to want it. But on occasion, the previous join forces. The right people with the appropriate calling unite against a common enemy, then the sky is the limit and hell is the target. There will be no compromises, only adaptation and infiltration.

The socially unacceptable became our mode of visual operation. When visuals match content, the system will fall.

The staff we dealt with in Baltimore had no problem offering their time to James and me, not because we were two white kids undercover looking for a big story, but because of the mess we claimed to be in and wished to create.

We connected with these people on a level they were comfortable with. We came off as troubled, torn, innovative and devoted individuals who couldn’t skirt the system unless the system helped us along our journey.

Our presence screamed, as James puts it, “unique situation.” And so when we sought council in regards to tax evasion, obtaining a house for use as an underage brothel, the avoidance of an abusive pimp, and establishing illegitimate congressional campaign funds, they were ready and unfazed by the direction our conversation took.

James and I saw the ACORN Housing location in Baltimore as a target–the den of a giant corrupt lion. We wanted to get a reaction and gauge the corruption. We came armed with the things necessary to cause a reaction; we came equipped with the things necessary to capture the reaction. We expected to be successful. We weren’t overly confident but we had tested methods at our disposal and were able to calculate the lines along which the staffers would react. We didn’t go in expecting major results; we also didn’t limit what could happen seated behind closed doors. We went in knowing that if we were meant to succeed, we would. It is not as if we went in carefree and lah-dee-dah. But we were confident in our mission.

That President Obama's speech appears to have had good results is no surprise. I suspect there may well be a few Republicans who might want to break ranks with the toxic negativity that is the GOP today. Healthcare reform is long overdue and if Obama can achieve it, his legacy is assured. I am putting my money on the President to succeed. Obviously he is determined and committed. The shrill and misguided opponents from SC can yell all they like. They have been exposed for what they are and belong on a Ship of Fools.

After what ACORN did yesterday, I would not think they would be much of a force......Underaged children from El Salvador?????

And I thought they were a sleazy organization to begin with........

This so called bump that Obama gave the Democrats will only last a few days. The house members have to remember there are some people back home who do not want the public option and a vote for it means they may be replaced in 2010.

I keep telling you "Politico" dudes and dames to get real. You don't, and continue to float in your own fantasy Wahington DC bubble. All the blabber your write is meaningless. If you want the real skinny, I suggest you take a look at your own daily polling. Your current poll shows that 33% supported the POTUS speech last night and 67% opposed it. Plus, the American viewership was lean to say the least. I bring this up because a review of your past polls over the last month or so, show the POTUS receiving between 29%-33% approval on most issues or actions. Even though your poll is not scientific, this trend indicates there is not much air in the Obama or Democrat ballon. As Iraq and Afghanistan go south, as the economy continues to tank, as the Obama attack on small business continues to erode the employment numbers, these poll numbers will stay in the area, or maybe get a slight bit less. As for Joe Wilson, you waste time taking him to task. As the attacks on Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, etc. have failed miserably, so will your pursuit of Congressman Wilson fail. Fear not Mr. Wilson will have plenty of bucks to finanance his campaign. And......to boot, Mr. Wilson was partially correct in his statement in calling the POTUS a liar. Fact is, POTUS Obama is a serial liar on many counts, and....the majority fo the American people know it, no matter what "Politico" and the MSM banter.

They decide to go after Joe Wilson for telling the truth about Obama, even though Pelosi says she won't go after him now.....

Yet Pelosi and the CBC continue to hide a knows tax cheat who may be facing some charges for failing to pay his taxes, Charlie Rangel. They also hide a guy who funneled federal tax dollars to his nephew's so called defense contractor, John Murtha.